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How Googling for customer service numbers makes you a target for scammers An Orem man thought he dialed customer support for a well-known tech company, but he got connected with an impostor.

Scammers hijack people who Google customer service numbers—posing as legit reps, tricking them into downloading software or sharing info. ksltv.com/ksl-investig...

Utahns lost $32 million to contractor fraud since 2022, new state task force aims to stop it Utahns have lost $32 million to construction fraud over the last three years. Now, a new task force with a full-time prosecutor will take on contractor fraud.

Utahns lost $32M to shady contractors since 2022...and that's just the victims who have come forward. Now the state’s cracking down with a new task force, a dedicated prosecutor, and tools to help you avoid getting scammed. WATCH: ksltv.com/ksl-investig...

Being an authorized user on someone's credit card can boost your credit, but it can also leave you worse off It's a strategy many use to improve their credit quickly: become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account. While it might boost your credit, it can also work against you.

Being an authorized user can boost credit—or tank it. Piggybacking comes with big risks. ksltv.com/ksl-investig...

What happens when an Amber Alert goes out by mistake? KSL Investigates Utah’s system—tonight at 10.

Find out the simple move you can make to lower your credit card interest rate and save hundreds Banks and credit card companies are willing to lower your credit card interest rate, if you just ask them.

it never hurts to ask ksltv.com/ksl-investig...

Utah needs primary care doctors. Can the Utah doctor shortage be fixed? Have you had to wait weeks, even months, for an appointment to see a doctor? Utah is facing a shortage of primary care doctors that some experts say has become a crisis.

Utah faces a primary-care doctor shortage—49th in the U.S.—forcing patients (even in Salt Lake City) to wait weeks or months, risk ER visits and delayed care. Legislative incentives (loan repayment, pay boosts) are suggested but debated. ksltv.com/ksl-investig... @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Find out the biggest misgivings on social media shopping Americans spend tens-of-billions dollars every year on stuff they've found on social media. It's leading to buyer's remorse for many social media shoppers.

A lotta online shopping pressure this week. Know before you click 'Buy Now.' ksltv.com/ksl-investig...

There is a industry preying on desperate timeshare owners. Tonight at 10, I'll investigate what you need to know before buying a timeshare or paying a company to get out of one. @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Find out the risks college grads run when turning to social media for financial advice A financial trend is circulating among college grads via social media. Experts warn it could leave your credit in much worse shape.

There is a social media trend telling people that if they can't pay a debt they should dispute it because it'll freeze everything for a time while the debt is validated. Experian says that's a bad idea. ksltv.com/ksl-investig... @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Chuck E. Cheese is opening arcades for adults Chuck E. Cheese isn’t just for the kids anymore.

Okay, but they better still have a salad bar with their amazing ranch dressing! ksltv.com/entertainmen...

Find out which hotel rewards program can save you the most money If you're looking to save money on your travels, one way to do it is by joining a hotel rewards program. But not all rewards programs are created equal.

You may already be keenly aware of how airline points can save you money. But have hotel rewards been flying under your radar? ksltv.com/ksl-investig...

People are spending less on individual gifts but they're chipping in more for group gifts With the cost of nearly everything going up over the past few years, people have been cutting back on their gift giving as individuals. But they're chipping in more money towards group gifts.

People are trimming individual gift budgets but pooling cash for group gifts, adapting to rising costs by sharing expenses more collaboratively. ksltv.com/ksl-investig... @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Scam Jam: Utahns Gathered to Learn to Spot the Most Common Scams Thank you to everyone who came and made this event a success!

I participated in this last week. Lots of good info about avoiding scams from experts ... and me. local.aarp.org/news/scam-ja... @aarp.org

From my colleague Shelby Lofton:

Studio owner says landlord's renovations is killing her business What rights do retail business owners have when their landlord's renovation causes them to lose business?

Landlord’s “renovation” leaves Salt Lake photo studio overexposed, and owner stuck developing losses under her lease. ksltv.com/ksl-investig...

If you have a problem you can't solve, maybe I can help. matt@ksl.com. @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Online thieves target benefits meant for low-income families Some Utah families are facing a nightmare scenario as their state-administered benefits are stolen before they can even claim them.

In Utah, online thieves are draining EBT cards meant for low-income families using skimmers and phishing scams. Victims are often left without food or aid—and with little chance of getting it back. State officials say protections are urgently needed.

We went room to room in a Utah home with a Unified firefighter. He showed us the hidden hazards most families miss. What we found could save lives. Don't miss this eye-opening safety check, Wednesday at 10PM on @ksl5tv.bsky.social

You’re being charged more—and it’s not just the convenience fee. The KSL Investigators found a hidden surcharge on grocery delivery apps that’s flying under the radar. We do the legwork and crunch the numbers. Watch our inflation-busting investigation, tonight at 10 on KSL. @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Find out how anyone can trick AI into stealing passwords AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are often touted for safeguards that keep everyday people misusing AI to program malware. But new research finds it doesn't take a programmer to get around those safe...

From me: A recent investigation reveals how AI can be manipulated to extract passwords, highlighting vulnerabilities in AI systems and emphasizing the need for stronger safeguards. ksltv.com/ksl-investig... @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Beware of the evil twin WiFi scam! How you can protect yourself Scammers are setting digital traps in the form of fake WiFi hotspots that look legit. But unwittingly connect to one and you'll be handing your data to a scammer.

From Me: Hackers are setting Wi-Fi traps disguised as legit networks—an *evil twin* looking to steal your info. With summer travel spiking, don’t get *roamed*. Before you connect, double-check—then surf safely! 🧠📶 #WiFiScam #GetGephardt ksltv.com/local-news/b... @ksl5tv.bsky.social

As to what you should do if you get one, the short answer is, I don't know. You might owe the money. Personally I'd do what Black did - contact the company attempting to collect the tariff, and maybe also the company from which you purchased the product.

Correct. No resolution. After weeks of being ghosted by UPS, I decided it was time to put it on TV.

Know your rights when an airline delays your luggage A luggage delay frustrated a Utah couple who arrived at their cruise ship’s departure port without clothes and other essentials. But what are your rights when an airline delays your luggage?

From me: Airline lost your bag? Don’t let them *zip* past your rights. You may be *tote*-ally entitled to cash for the wait. Keep receipts, pack patience—and maybe a spare shirt in your carry-on. ksltv.com/ksl-investig... @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Find out how you could be on-the-hook for import costs of items you bought online A Salt Lake woman got hit with a surprise bill demanding she pay extra for an overseas item she bought and already had been delivered - and it's not a scam.

From me: Online shoppers in Utah may face unexpected import fees. A Utah woman got a bill in the mail from UPS weeks after the delivery was made. ksltv.com/ksl-investig... @ksl5tv.bsky.social

Fraudsters are impersonating Utah landowners to sell their property out from under them, here's how to protect your land Fraudsters are selling vacant land right out from under the rightful landowners in an elaborate scheme the FBI has warned is on the rise. When it nearly happened to a Sandy couple, they asked Get Geph...

From me: Scammers in Utah are impersonating landowners to fraudulently sell vacant properties. They target unoccupied lots, forge IDs, and push for quick, remote cash sales. Authorities urge vigilance to prevent these real estate frauds. ksltv.com/ksl-investig... @ksl5tv.bsky.social

What to do when a store going under refuses to take your gift cards Retailers often stop honoring gift cards when they declare bankruptcy. But that's money they've been paid in advance, so can they really refuse your gift card?

A Utah woman’s gift cards were refused—even though the store isn’t closed yet. What are your options when a business is going under but won’t honor the money you already paid? #GetGephardt #KSLTV ksltv.com/ksl-investig... @ksl5tv.bsky.social